Self-compensating comb



Filed June 17, 1957 G. T. LINDSTROM SELF-COMPENSATING COMB 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GUSTAF T. LINDSTROM ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1960 G. T. LINDSTROM SELF-COMPENSATING COMB 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1957 FILAHENT SHEET FILAHENT SHEER INVENTOR GUSTAF T. LINDSTROM ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1960 G. T. LINDSTROM SELF-COMPENSATING COMB 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 17, 1957 INVENTOR GUSTAF T. LINDSTROM FIG5 ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 17, 1957 INVENTOR GUSTAF T. LINDSTROM BY MJZW ATTORNEY SELF-COMPENSATING COMB.

Gustaf T. Lindstrom, Wilmington, Del., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware.

Filed June 17, 1957, Ser. No. 666,120

4 Claims. (Cl. 28-55) This invention relates to the beaming of yarn and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for the continuous beaming of textile yarn.

At present, certain steps in the manufacture of. textile yarn are of an intermittent or discontinuous nature. For example, textile yarn is conventionally wound on pirns. These pirns are then mounted on beaming creels, and the yarn is taken from the pirns and wound onto beams by means of a beaming machine. The production rate of yarn is limited by such factors as repairing broken ends, replenishing exhausted pirns on the creel, removing filled beams and replacing them With empty spools.

This invention has as one object the provision of a method and apparatus for continuously beaming textile strands. A further object is to provide a comb which permits continuous beaming of yarn. Another object is to provide a beaming comb which is adjustable, without :stopping or slowing the beaming operation, to eliminate gaps produced by broken threads. Another object is to provide a process and beaming comb which forms an ev e n, uniform beam package from a plurality of filaments ,by permitting adjustment of the lateral spacing, lateral position, and traverse stroke of the filaments, without stopping or slowing the beaming operation, to compensate for lost threadlines.

In accordance with this invention, a plurality of filaments are passed through a beaming comb and thereby placed in evenly spaced parallel coplanar alignment for uniform winding upon a beam. The comb 'is adjustable for maintaining the filaments at substantially the same lateral spacing regardless of the loss of any filament, and the adjustment may be made at any time without interrupting the beaming operation. The apparatus of this invention may also be adjusted to alter the lateral position of the whole sheet of filaments relative to the'beam or may move the individual filaments closer togetheror farther apart while maintaining the filaments in evenly spaced parallel coplanar alignment.

When a filament breaks during a beaming operation involving the present apparatus, one of thereeds (sometimes known as a dent or reed dent) on either side of the positionin the comb and adjoining the position through which the filament had passed before breaking may be moved to inoperative position immediately and without stopping or even-slowing down the beaming operation.

.Following the removal of saidreed, the remaining reeds may be moved closer together if desired so that the original uniformspacing between filaments prior to the break may be attained once more, and the amount of traverschanged in which case-the traverse stroke -need not-be changed. The apparatus-of this invention includes .a cotoperatinghtraversing device which may. be wadjustednto nited States Patent V 2,950,518 Patented Aug. 30, 1960 ice change the stroke thereof without slowing or stopping the beaming operation. The term reed as used herein is synonymous with dent or reed dent as the latter are understood in the art.

The invention will be more easily understood by reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus. Figure 2 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus partly in section and showing the reeds in operative position. Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the apparatus in normal operating position with certain of the elements shown in alternate positions and a horizontal filament sheet passing through the comb. Figure 4 is another cross-sectional side view of the apparatus also with certain elements shown in alternate positions. Figure 5 is a side view of reeds with hexagonallyshaped laterally compressible portions. Figure 6 is a rear view of a reed of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a side view of a reed with elliptical-shaped laterally compressible portions. Figure 8 is a rear view of the reed of Figure 7.

In referring to the drawings and the operation of the apparatus of this invention, it will be assumed for convenience that the beaming comb is orientated for a normal beaming operation wherein a sheet of filaments is passed horizontally through the comb (Figure 3) for a windup on a beam. In such an operation, the reeds 5 of the comb will be oriented substantially vertically and will be referred to as in vertical orientation. Obviously, however, the beaming comb of this invention may be otherwise oriented to accommodate the beaming of filament sheets which are not horizontally oriented at the time of passing through the comb.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the beaming comb of this invention comprises a frame licarrying end blocks -2, 2, which are spaced apart and in parallel opposed relationship, being attached to the frame in any suitable manner. A reed support shaft 3 is positioned horizontally between the lower portions of said end blocks which are bored at 4 and 4' to receive it. Reeds 5, each with at least one laterally enlarged resilient portion and preferably two separated laterally enlarged resilient portions 6 and 6', are mounted so that each may rotate about shaft 3 from an operative position of parallel evenly spaced vertical alignment with the other reeds to an inoperative .position of non-alignment with the vertical reeds. End blocks 2 and '2' are each bored stepwise to receive thrust shafts '7 and 7' which are maintained in rotatable laterally fixed position by collars 8 and 8', which move against shoulders 9 and 9, and knobs 10 and ill which are fixed to the outer ends of shafts 7 and 7'. The inner portions of shafts 7 and 7' are threaded to engage the necks .11 and 11' of thrust members 12 and 12, and rotation of knobs 1t! and 10 moves thrust members 12 and 12, which are in coaxial alignment, toward or away from each otheror in the same lateral direction.

Thrust members 12 and 12' serve to hold the reeds 5 in the desired lateral position on the frame by bearing upon the resilient enlarged portions of the reeds and may move the reed fingers 1-8 (the portion of the reeds which contacts filaments) closer together or by release of pres sure permit the reed fingers to move farther apart, yet

always maintaining the reed fingers evenly spaced with respect to each other.

.through the comb. By moving both thrust members :laterally in the same direction, the body of reeds in operative positionmay be moved laterally to a newv position,

' should be in alignment when the reeds are sheet 20 maybe pulled away from the long. sheet 21 sufficiently. to allow catch release lever '24 to be inserted. r

while maintaining the reeds evenly spaced with respect to each other.

Additional elements of the apparatus may be seen in Figures 3 and 4. Reeds 5 are elongated plates which may be rectangular or any other suitable shape but preferably are rounded at the lower end 13 where they contain an aperture 15 for rotatably mounting on shaft 3 and have bevels 14 at the other extremity preferably at an angle of between about and about 45 degrees. Alternate reeds in the device are beveled in opposite directions as shown in Figures 3 and 4 to facilitate string-up of filaments.

As shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, each reed preferably has two localized resilient enlarged portions 6 and 6 (although one elongated resilient enlarged portion may be suitable in some instances) and these resilient portions may be of the same or different shape or configuration. The term enlarged refers to the lateral cross section of these resilient and compressible portions 6 and 6 (Figures 6 and 8) of the reed as being larger than the reed'fin'gers 18. These enlarged portions mustbe larger than the reed fingers by an amount such that when two reeds are placed side by side in operative position there will be ample space for a textile strand. to pass between the reed fingers'without undue friction even when the reed enlarged portions 6 land 6' are somewhat compressed.

Preferably, each reed is formed from two thin sheets of spring steel, one longer thanthe other.

sheet 21 so that only the longer sheet will contact filaments during operation of the apparatus and that por- Preferably, the shorter sheet 29 will be sufficiently shorter than the longer tion of the longer sheet extending beyond the shorter treme fore-and-aft positions, as shown in Figures 3 and 4,

sheet in the reed is the reed finger 18. Each sheet has a double discontinuity in its plane surface complementary to that in the other sheet so that when thetwo sheets are joined as by welding there is formed two spaced transshown in Figure 6, or some other suitable shape. Also, the channels in a reed need not be identical in shape or cross section, but preferably all reeds used together will have adjoining compressible portions of similar'crosssectional configuration and all compressible cross sections in operative position, for best results. v

The resilient enlarged portions of a reed should preferably be uniform in cross section from the forward edge to the rear edge of the reed and may have an axis which is perpendicular 'to the longitudinal axis of the reed or maybe angled up to about degrees therefrom or even somewhat more. 'By having the axis of these enlarged portions angled in this manner, movement of a V reed from 1 inoperative position to operative position among other reeds is facilitated because intermeshing of the reeds is eased by avoidance of binding between enlarged portions of adjoining reeds; Thus, as shown in Figure 5, the rotation of reed A about shaft 3 into lateral portions.

In forming the reeds, it is preferredthat-the reeds be joined at a point between the two enlarged portions 6 and 6' and optionally also below the lower enlarged portion By this construction, the upper part 22 of short enlarged portion of a reed, but the thickness of the lever 24 is less than the width of channel 16 so as not to prevent compression of the resilient reed enlargement. Each catch release lever is provided with a suitable catchv for holding the reed in releasable operative position between thrust members 12 and 12'. In one arrangement, as shown in Figure 3, catch release lever 24, which is shaped to fit snugly and securely within the reedchannels, is provided with catch 25 which grasps bead 26 on frame 1. The catch may be released by pressing down on catch release handle 24, thereby raising catch 25 above bead 26. This operation is possible due to the resilience of the reed enlargements 6. r t

As shown in Figure 3, catch release handles 24 on alternate reeds are of such a form as to be out of lateral alignment when positioned on the reeds. This arrangement permits easy access to individual handles and thereby quick accurate release of individual reeds from operative positions during the beaming operation. If all catch release handles were in alignment, diflficulty would be encountered in the attempted release of a single reed be-' cause .of the closeness of the reeds and catch release handles.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention, end blocks 2 and 2' journal eccentric shaft 27 which is fixedly attached to a pair of eccentrics 32, one adjacent each of the end blocks. Detents 28 on opposite sides of shaft 27 cooperate with detent arresting means which here is in the form of ball 29 which is forced into detent 28 by spring 30 positioned in cavity 31 of end block 2. Detents 28 are positioned in shaft 27 so that eccentrics 32 may be releasablyjheld in each of its exrespectively. Shaft 27 may be fixed to outer eccentric flange 39 by pin 33, an extension of which may serve as a handle used to rotate the eccentric. Outer eccentric flange 39 in this specific embodiment is not integral with eccentric 32 but it may be if desired. Eccentric 32 is integral with inner eccentric flange 40 and is maintained in fixed relationship with shaft 27 by wedge 41. Rotatably mounted for concentric movement about eccentrics 32 is reed return carriage 34 which comprises two spaced parallel members 35 and 35' maintained in fixed lateral alignment, each with a foot 36 and '36 rotatably mounted on eccentrics 32 and 32' and connected by horizontal reed returnshaft 37 and shaft38, both of the latter two shafts being parallel to eccentric shaft 27 but defining a plane lying outside the plane of. the latter shaft. Reed a a reed rotating about shaft 3 will strike reed return shaft I alignment with reed B permits the upper portion 17 of the enlargement 6' of reed A to move under lower portion 19 37 when eccentric 32 is in its most forward position, as shown in Figure '3, but will not strike reed return shaft 37 when eccentric 32 is in its most rearward position, as shown in Figure 4, and shaft'37 lies in a horizontal plane passing through shaft 27. Shaft 38 may be similarly spaced from reed support shaft 3 or. maybe spaced sufficiently distant from shaft 3 so that it will not be contacted by a rotated reed regardless of the position of the eccentric. 1

In normal operating position, a sheet of filaments passes horizontally through the comb formed by reed fingers 18 which-are oriented substantially vertically. Spacing between individual filaments'leaving the comb may be regulated by increasing or decreasing pressure'on the resilient enlarged portions of thereeds by turning knobs 10 and 10' and thereby increasing or decreasing the distance between thrust members 12 .and 12' which bear ,upon' the enlarged portions of the-reeds. Similarly, the

a comb, reed return carriage .34 assumes the position shown These catch release levers may be of any suitable shape l in solidlines in Figure 3 with reed return shaft'37 adjacent to the-vertical reeds. This positionis desirable because during beaming operations an operator frequently must determine the tension of the filaments passing through the comb, and this determination is made by pressing his hand lightly on the filament sheet from above. Downward movement of the filament sheet during this operation is arrested by smooth reed return shaft 37 which prevents the filaments from striking the sharp edges of the upper portion 22 of short sheet 20 of the reeds. Damage to filaments during the tension determination is thereby avoided. In the normal operating position of the comb eccentric 32 is preferably in its most rearward position, although the device is equally operative with the eccentric 32 in any position.

Upon the breaking of a filament in the filament sheet during beaming, there at once appears a gap in the filament sheet leaving the comb. If this gap continues to exist, a groove will appear in the beam as a result of the uneven distribution of filaments in the sheet and finally this groove will become so deep that adjoining filaments will fall into the groove resulting in entanglement and possibly considerably spoilage of yarn. In beaming operations, as heretofore practiced, the beaming operator receives a signal as soon as a filamentbreaks. Various means for providing such a signal are known. Because beaming operations have been carried out by passing yarns from a creel to a beam, the operator could stop the beaming process at any time in order to repair the broken filament.

In accordance with the present invention, the operator receiving a signal indicating a broken filament may take steps to avert the impending damage to the beam Without stopping or even slowing the beaming operation. For example, reed return carriage 34 is rotated rearwardly as indicated in Figure 4, and the position of the broken filament is located visually. The operator grasps the catch release handle 24 attached to a reed adjoining the position in the comb where the broken filament originally passed. By pressing down the catch release handle 24, catch 25 is raised above bead 26 (made possible due to the resilient nature of the enlarged portion of the reed which holds catch release handle 24), and the reed may then be rotated rearwardly (toward the source of filaments) about shaft 3 until it occupies the inoperative horizontal position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3.

In order to return reed return carriage 34 to its position of normal operation, as indicated by the solid lines in Figure 3, eccentric 32 is revolved about eccentric shaft 27 until it is in its most rearward position, as indicated in Figure 4, if it is not already there. In this position reed return shaft 37 is beyond the reed finger of the inoperative horizontal reed (see Figure 4), and reed return carriage 34 may be rotated counterclockwise about eccentric 32 until reed return shaft 37 abuts the operative (vertical) reeds. Knobs and 10 may then be operated to provide the desired reed finger spacing and thereby the proper spacing of the filaments passing through the comb and also, if desired, to change the lateral position of the whole sheet of filaments. If the spacing of the filaments is maintained equal to that which prevailed before the loss of a filament, the filament sheet leaving the comb will be narrower (by one filament); and it will be necessary, if a uniform beam is desired, to increase the traverse stroke so that the fewer number of filaments will cover the same lateral expanse on the beam. It may be desired in certain instances, however, to provide the reeds with resilient enlarged portions of sufi'icient volume and to maintain the reeds under sufficient compressive force at the start of the beaming operation so that, following the loss of a threadline and removal of a reed from operative position in the comb, the reeds remaining in operative position Will by reason of the release of pressure on the compressed resilient enlarged portions of the reeds expand and adjust themselves to a uniform but wider spacing and yet remain firmly held between thrust mem- 6 bers 12 and 12 without any adjustment of these thrust members. Under these circumstances, the. width of the filament sheet leaving the comb is the same as the width of the filament sheet prior to the loss of the filament, and no change in the traverse stroke may be necessary.

At the completion of a beaming operation during which there have been a number of broken filaments, there will be the same number of reedsin inoperative (horizontal)v position. Prior to the start of the next beaming operation, it is necessary to. return all reeds to operative position- This is accomplished with the present apparatus by moving reed return carriage clockwise as shown in Figure: 4, while eccentric 32 is in its most rearward position until shaft 37 is below inoperative reeds. Eccentric 32 is then rotated to its most forward position so that shaft 27 is below and behind the inoperative reeds as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3. Now by rotating reed return carriage 34 counterclockwise reed return shaft 37 will move all inoperative reeds into operative (vertical) position and beaming can begin once more.

In order to fully realize the advantages of the beaming comb of this invention, it is essential that the comb be coupled with a traversing device, the stroke of which is capable of adjustment without interruption of the beaming operation. Such a device is illustrated in Figures 9, l0, and 11. Figure 9 is an exterior longitudinal view of the traversing device. Figure 10 is a sectional longitudinal view. Figure 11 is an end view showing the controls for regulating the stroke of the traverse.

Referring to Figure 10, power input shaft 42 is rotatably mounted in housing 67 and connected to power take-ofi means, not shown. Slideably mounted on shaft 56 which may be integral with power input shaft 42 is main traverse cam 43 which is slideably mounted on shaft 56 but keyed to'said shaft to prevent rotation thereupon by splines 47. During rotation of shaft 56, cam 43 rotates with said shaft and is free to move longitudinally along shaft 56 but does not rotate relative to said shaft. Cam follower roller 44 is mounted within the groove of cam 43 and follows the groove of said cam by moving between cam shoulders 45. Cam follower roller 44 revolves freely about stud 46 which extends through a longitudinal slot in the upper surface of the housing and into a cavity in frame 1 of a beaming comb. Frame 1 of the beaming comb is movable longitudinally (with respect to shaft 42) within the slot formed by flanged members 50 attached to the upper surface of housing 67. Stud 46 is fixedly attached to comb frame .1 by screws 48.

Attached to rim 51 of cam 43 by stud 53 is second cam follower roller 52 which moves in the groove of cam 54 between shoulders 55. Neck 68 of cam 54 is keyed to hub 57 by spline 58. Pointer 65 is secured to hub 57 for rotation with said hub to indicate to an operator the position of cam 54. Cam 54 is maintained in releasably fixed rotatable position by spring-loaded catch 59 which, upon rotation of hub 57 (and thereby cam 54), communicates with a plurality of sockets 60 which are spaced at regular intervals about the circumference of the face of screw collar 61. Housing hub 62 is split at 63 so that tightening of screw 64 serves to lock screw collar 61 in place. Cam 54 may be rotated 360 degrees by rotating hub 57 about its axis with the assistance of handle 66, and cam 54 may be releasably held in any of a plurality of desired positions by springloaded catch 59.

In operation of the traversing device, external power means rotates shaft 42 and thereby cam 43. Cam 54 is maintained in a given fixed position for a given traverse stroke. During rotation of cam 43, cam follower roller 44 moving in the groove of cam 43 translates the cam action to comb frame '1, resulting in a longitudinal reciprocating action of the comb. During rotation, cam 43 also reciprocates longitudinally along shaft 56 befixed with respect to'rotation.

cause cam follower roller 52 which is attached to rim of cam 43 follows the groove of cam 54 which, for a given traverse stroke, is, maintained in fixed position.

Cam 54 in Figure is set to provide the maximum stroke for the traversing device. The extreme throws of both cams are in lateral alignment, with the extreme left throw of both cams being atthe top and the extreme right throw of both cams being at the bottom. .The maximum stroke obtainable is, ofcours'e, the sum of the two cam throws (x+y). Toyobtain the smallest cam throw possible with this device, cam 54 is rotated 180 degrees by release of spring-loaded catch 59 and rotation of handle 66 through an arc of 180degrees followed by reactivation of spring-loaded catch 59. In such a position, the extreme throws of the cams are 180 degrees out of phase when the cam followers are at the top, and the traverse stroke obtainable is equal to the difference between the cam throws (xy). 'The traverse stroke would be yx if y were the greater throw. 'The apparatus is designed, therefore, so that the sum of the cam throws will provide at least the maximum stroke desired, and the difference in the cam throws will provide the minimum stroke desired; Between the two extreme positions of cam 54 is a multitude of positions which provide intermediate stroke lengths. The number of intermediate positions may be made infinite by replacing spring-loaded catch 59 by a suitable friction catch device, but for most textile beaming operations a simple stepwise adjustment dial is sufiicient and insures accurate settings with inexperienced operators.

The traverse and comb apparatus 0f tl1is invention permits a change in the lateral position of a sheetof filaments without interrupting the beaming operation or changing the spacing of the filaments in the sheet or altering the traverse stroke. The change in the lateral position of a filament sheet is accomplished by loosening screw 64 and withdrawing catch 59 from hole 6% Screw collar 61 is then rotated while maintaining hub 57 By this operation the entire cam assembly and the comb governed thereby are displaced to right or left, as may be desired. Screw 64 may then be tightened to hold collar el in fixed posi tion and catch 59 again activated for continuance of beaming operations in the new lateral position.

The claimed invention:. r

, 1. In a textile beaming comb, a horizontal frameya plurality of spaced reeds mounted on said frame, a latch for releasably holding each reed in operative position with other reeds on the frame,each of said reeds being comb.

2. A textile beaming comb comprising a frame, a plurality =of'spaced reeds mounted on said frame, a latch for releasably holding each reed in spaced parallel coplanar alignment with the other reeds in vertical posi tion on said frame, eachof said reeds being movable from its position of alignment with operative reeds to. a position of non-alignment with said operative reeds, each reedhaving only one of its ends mounted on said frame to provide an open-end comb.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which all reeds are rotatably mounted on said frame for individual movement from operative position to inoperative position' 4. A textile beaming comb comprising a frame, two

relationship and attached to said. frame, a horizontal reed shaft connecting the two end blocks, a plurality of reeds mounted on said reedjsha'ft for rotation from a position between said end blocks rearwardly for at least about 6 0 degrees, each reed having a reed finger which extends beyond said frame and a reed body with at least one laterally enlarged resilient portion, coaxial laterally adjustable opposed thrust members positioned be-v tween said end blocks and spaced from said reed shaft and bearing upon the enlarged resilient-portions of said reeds when the reeds are disposed between the thrust members, an individual latch attached to each reed and adapted to releasably catch on the frame to hold the reeds in operative position, an eccentric shaft rotatably' mounted between the end blocks and fixedly attached to eccentrics positioned adjacent each end block, the eccentrics being. mounted for simultaneous rotation forward and backward between extreme eccentric positions, means for .releasably holding said eccentrics ineach extreme position, a reed return carriagecomprising two spaced parallel members in fixed lateral alignment, each with a foot rotatably mounted on one of said eccentrics and connected by a horizontal reed return shaft which is parallel to the eccentric shaft.

I References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,214,948 Ojerholm Feb. 6, 1917 2,026,315 -Kohlisch Dec. 31, 1935 2,033,738 Reiners et a1; Mar. 10, 1936' 2,522,816 Fiderer Sept. 19 1950 r 2,534,340 Chaya et a1. Dec. 19, 1950 2,610,383 Watson Sept. 16, 1952 2,671,943 Rovas Mar. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 289,959 Switzerland July 16, 1953 

